Attack On Memory

What were you doing at age 20? Cloud Nothings boss Dylan Baldi was already recording this, his third album, with none other than Steve Albini warming the producer's chair. Now with a full backing band, Baldi's sound is noisier and... ballsier. Songs break into sludgy instrumental jams, most notably on "Wasted Days" and "Separation." The drums are beaten to a pulp, and so are the guitars, as he howls like a kid trapped in existential angst. "Give up, come to/ No hope, we're through," he moans on the opening track. Forget about the 2012 release date: This is quality '90s slacker rock.